Students at The Ohio State University can expect to see some furry, four-legged friends during finals week. Thompson and other University Libraries locations will again welcome therapy dogs to help students unwind with the Pause4Paws program.
Pause4Paws takes place every semester during finals week. The program’s purpose is to support students during stressful times.
Alicia Perkins, outreach and engagement assistant for University Libraries and coordinator of Pause4Paws, makes it clear that students come first.
“Students spend a lot of time in the libraries,” Perkins said. “We want to make it more comfortable and accommodating. Their wellbeing is at the top of our list.”
Pause4Paws, originally named Pause for Paws, began in April 2013 as a pilot program. Only Thompson and 18th Avenue Libraries participated. It was so popular that University Libraries has continued the program every semester since.
Jordyn Naughtrip, Ohio State sophomore, says Pause4Paws makes finals bearable. “Dogs and pets of any sort remind a lot of students of home,” Naughtrip said. “That is a big source of comfort during such a stressful time.”
According to Perkins, therapy animals provide students with three important things for their wellbeing. Socially, students have positive interactions with the therapy dogs and their owners. Emotionally, it relieves stress and elevates students’ moods. Cognitively, it allows students a specific time and space from studying to recharge and refocus.
University Libraries senior graphic designer, Pam McClung, participated in the program with her late therapy dog, Baarlo. She recalls how wonderful the students felt when they got to sit with Baarlo and take their minds off of looming deadlines.
Pause4Paws partners with therapy animals from Therapy Dog International and 4-H PetPals, and recently began a partnership with Buckeye Paws.